Hurricane Sandy hit just as the annual Medicare enrollment period was coming to a close. Medicare officials are keenly aware that the devastation following this attack on the East Coast has made enrolling for Medicare plans difficult, if not impossible for many people. Even though Medicare annual enrollment officially closes every December 7, it’s going to be extended this time.

If you were impacted by the hurricane and need extra time to compare your options to get the best Medicare coverage for 2013, you still can. And, our licensed agents are ready to research the ways you can get help with Medicare’s deductibles to see a doctor or go to the hospital.

By finding which insurance companies offer plans in your area and explaining the differences between those choices, our experts can help you find coverage with a lot less time and effort. And, of course, you pay nothing for this service. In fact, we’re not even obligated to work with one insurer. You can find out about Medicare plans from the leading insurance companies with our help.

Once they’ve already signed up for Medicare, most beneficiaries can only enroll in Medicare Advantage plans or Prescription Drug plans from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 (in other years). This deadline is meant to ensure that their health care and prescription drug coverage is all set for January 1, and ready for them to use.

Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans Are Still Available

Right now, you can still see how an Advantage plan or a Part D Prescription plan can reduce what you pay for health care in 2013.

Pharmacy and Provider Access Restrictions Lifted during State of Emergency

The disaster declarations for the states affected by Hurricane Sandy include emergency responses, such as waiving authorization and referral requirements on prescriptions. The “refill-too-soon” restrictions have been lifted to help those who lost their medication in the disaster. And, the higher out-of-network costs have been reduced to match in-network rates, so people who had to relocate don’t have to spend more for medication co-pays.

Wiley Long is founder and president of Medigap Advisors, and is passionate about helping people navigate the confusing waters of Medicare. He is the author of The Medicare Playbook: Designing Your Successful Health Coverage Strategy, a clear and simple explanation so you can make the most of your Medicare coverage. For more information visit www.MediGapAdvisors.com.